Electrical flushing mechanism



July 1, 1969 J. D. THQMPSON ELECTRICAL FLUSHING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 18, 1964 INVENTOR. non-v50" W Sec we: 6'"

finite 3,452,367 ELECTRICAL FLUSHING MECHANISM Jean Dale Thompson, 1020 E. John St., Seattle, Wash. 98102 Filed Dec. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 419,516 Int. Cl. E03d 13/00; H011 13/00 US. Cl. 4-100 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In lavatories and in chemical processing plants where there is an increase in contaminance in the liquid medium, it is often desirable to decrease the concentration of contaminance by completely flushing the system or adding additional liquid to decrease the concentration of the contaminant. For example, in lavatories and urinals the contaminated liquid is flushed and replaced with a fresh liquid. In a cooling tower where a liquid is continually evaporated, there is a build up in the concentration of the contaminant or contaminance. To lower this concentration to a desirable level, there may be let off some of the contaminated liquid medium and there may be added uncontaminated liquid medium. Further, there may be continually added uncontaminated liquid medium with a bleed ofi of the contaminated liquid medium. Another example is in a water softener level indicator. To soften water there is added a chemical. If the concentration becomes too high of the water, it may not be desirable for certain uses. Often, it is desirable to control this concentration and one of the ways to do this is by the use of the electrode assembly and electric circuit of this invention. Accordingly, an object and advantage of this invention is to provide apparatus to save water and also to lower the cost of the water use; to increase sanitation; to provide an apparatus which has a long life; toprovide an apparatus which operates on alternating current; to provide an apparatus which is safe to use; which apparatus may be installed on existing equipment; which apparatus requires a minimum of maintenance; which apparatus requires only a small amount of electricity to operate; which apparatus automatically balances the contaminated aqueous medium against the aqueous medium before contamination; and, which apparatus is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and to install.

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention will be more particularly brought forth upon reference to the accompanying drawings, the detailed description of the invention, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a view looking at the head of the electrode assembly and which head is inserted in the chamber where the contaminated liquid is:

FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded side elevational views of the electrode assembly wherein FIG. 2 shows the plug portion of the electrode assembly and FIG. 3 shows the cap portion of the electrode assembly;

FIG. 4, taken on line 44 of FIG. 3, is a side elevational view of the cap;

States Patent 0 ice FIG. 5, taken on line 55 of FIG. 4, is a plan view of the cap; and,

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the electric circuit used in conjunction with the electrode assembly.

Briefly, this invention comprises an electrode assembly having two spaced apart electrodes which are in contact with the contaminated liquid, and an electric circuit. The electric circuit controls a valve which allows additional liquid to flow into the contaminated liquid. The electric circuit has a relay for controlling the valve. The electrode assembly in contact with the contaminated liquid regulates the flow of electricity through the relay coil and thereby controls the valve for controlling the flow of liquid to the contaminated liquid for flushing purposes.

FIGURES .1 through 5 illustrate the electrode assembly 10.

The electrode assembly 10 comprises the plug portion 12 and a cap portion 14. The plug portion 12 comprises a stud 16 which is threaded and a shoulder 18. It is seen, in FIGURE 2, that the stud 16 rests on the shoulder 18. The shoulder 18, see FIGURE 1, is in the shape of a hexagon to facilitate the screwing of the stud portion 16 into a trap or chamber. In the plug 12 there are two longitudinal passageways 20 and which passageways extend through the unitary studs 16 and the shoulder 18. Positioned in these two passageways 20 are two round headed bolts 22. The bolt 22 has a round head 24 which rests on the upper end or outer end of the stud 16. The other end of the bolt 22 projects beyond the shoulder 18 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. To secure the bolt 22 in position there is screwed a nut 26 onto the bolt and which bears against the free end of the face of the shoulder 18.

In the shoulder end of the plug 12 there are two spaced apart longitudinal drilled passageways 28. A first imaginary line drawn between the two passageways 28 and a second imaginary line drawn between the two passageways 20 illustrate that these two lines are at approximately right angles to each other. The length of the passageways 28 are approximately the thickness of the shoulder 18.

The cap portion 14 may be considered to be from a circular blank or plug. In one face of the cap 14 there are two circular recesses 30. A passageway 31 connects with each recess 30 and extends through the body of the plug. The passageway 31 allows air to contact the bolt 22 and also for moisture to leave the recess 30. A groove 22 connects with each of these recesses 30 and extends half the recesses 30 as illustrated at 34. The two grooves 32 are parallel and the two grooves 34 are parallel. The spacing between the circular recesses 30 is set so as to receive the lower end or exposed end of the bolt 22. As is seen in FIG- URES 3, 4, and 5, in the bottom of each of the recesses 30 and extending through the end of the plug 14 there is a passageway 31. Also, in the cap 14 there are two spaced apart longitudinal passageways 38. The two spaced apart longitudinal passageways 38 are in alignment with the two spaced apart drilled holes 28 in the plug 12. Again, if a first imaginary line be drawn between the passageways 36 and a second imaginary line be drawn between the passageways 38, it is seen that the first and second imaginary lines are approximately at right angles to each other.

In assembling the cap 14 onto the plug, there are employed two screws or bolts 40. These bolts 40 pass through the passageways 38 in the cap 14 and screw into the passageways 28 in the plug 12.

In the actual assembly of the electrode assembly 10 the stud 16 may be screwed into the fitting in the chamber and a lead-in wire 42 may be laid in one set of grooves 32 and 34 and a second lead-in wire 44 may be laid in one set of grooves 32 and 34, see FIGURE 6. Then, the caps may be placed next to the shoulder 18 of the plug 12 so that one recess 30 fits with one bolt 22 and the other recess fits with the other bolt 22. The bolts are screwed into the passageways 28 so as to draw the cap 14 next to the plug 12. The lead-in wires 42 and 44 are deformed by the ends of the bolts 22 and with the cap 14 being tightened on the plug 12 the lead-in wires are firmly locked in place in the electrode assembly 10. This one step eliminates the necessity of soldering the lead-in wires to the electrodes 22 or wrapping the lead-in wires around the electrodes 22 and tightening the nuts 26 on the electrodes 22. As a result, there is a saving in time and therefore, money.

The material of construction of the plug 12 and the cap 14 is of a dielectric nature, such as nylon or polyethylene, or polytetrafiuoroethylene. The bolts 40 and 22 are preferably of stainless steel. In screwing the stud 16 into the trap there may be employed an O-ring 46 for sealing purposes.

In FIGURE 6 there is illustrated the electrical circuit. There is a primary transformer 50 having a lead-in 52 and a fuse 54 and a second lead-in 56. Naturally, this transformer is run off alternating current. A lead 58 connects with the lead 52 and a lead 60 connects with the lead 56. The lead 58 connects with contact 62 of relay 64. The other contact 66 of the relay 64 connects with a coil 68 of solenoid operated valve. The coil 68 also connects with the lead 60. In parallel with the coil 68 there is an arc suppressor 70 or a resistor 78. The coil 68 controls the solenoid operated valve which controls the flow of flush water to the system. Upon the activation of the coil 68 the valve is opened to allow flush water or flush liquid to flow to the system.

The primary 50 is a primary of transformer 72. The transofrmer 72 has a secondary coil 74. A lead 76 connects With secondary 74 and also with the resistor 78 and in turn with a rectifier 80. The rectifier 80 connects with the lead 82 which in turn connects with a relay coil 84 of the relay 64. The relay coil 84 connects with a lead 86 which in turn connects with a plate 88 of the triode tube 90. There is a center tap 92 of the secondary coil 74. The center tap lead 92 connects with plate 94 of the triode 90. A capacitor 96 connects with the lead 82 and also with the lead 92. Also, a resistor 98 connects with the lead 82 and the lead 92. In effect, it is seen that the secondary 74, rectifier 80, capacitor 96 and resistance 98 constitute a power supply.

The other end of the secondary coil 74 connects with a lead 100. The lead 100 connects with a resistor 102 and which resistor in turn connects with lead 104. Lead 104 in turn connects with resistor 106. A lead 108 connects with the lead 104 and also with the rectifier 110. The rectifier 110 connects with the lead 112 which also in turn connects with resistor 114. The resistor 1.14 connects with lead 116 which in turn connects with lead 118. The lead 118 connects with the grid 120 of the triode 90. The capacitor 122 connects with the lead 92 and also the lead 112. A resistor 124 connects with the lead 92 and the lead 112. A capacitor lead 118. It is seen that the secondary 74, resistors 102 and 106, rectifier 110, capacitor 122, resistor 124, and resistor 114 provide bias for the grid 120. Also, there is a secondary coil in the transformer 72. The secondary coil 130 connects with the lead 132 and also the lead 134. Across the leads 132 and 134 there is a heating element 136 of the triode 90. In the lead 132 there is a fuse 138. The lead 132 connects with a potentiometer 140. The potentiometer 140 connects with lead 42. The lead 134 connects with the lead 44. Also, the lead 134 is grounded at 142. The lead 134 connects with the lead 144. The lead 132 connects with the lead 146 which in turn connects with the resistor 148. Resistor 148 connects with a lead 150. A lead 161 connects the leads 150 and 42. The lead 150 by means of a lead 152 connects with the lead 112. In the lead 152 there is a fuse 154. The lead 134 connects with a switch 156. The switch 156 connects with the lead 158 which connects with the rectifier 160. The rectifier 160 connects with the lead 118. A lead 162 connects with 126 connects with the lead 112 and the 4 the lead 42 and also with the lead 158. In the lead 158 there is a fuse 159.

In operation, the lead 42 and the lead 44 connect with the electrodes or bolts 22 of the electrode assembly 10. This particular assembly, or first assembly, is placed in the trap so that the electrodes 22 are in contact with the contaminated liquid. And, the lead 150 and the lead 144 connect with the electrodes 22 of a second electrode assembly 10. The second electrode assembly 10 is placed so as to be in contact with the liquid before the liquid is contaminated. In other words, the second electrode assembly 10 may be placed in the lead-in pipe 172 for introducing the pure or uncontaminated liquid into the system. This is of value as it is known that the salt content of liquids vary throughout the world. For example, some regions have water which is very pure and may be used directly as is for battery purposes. In other parts of the country the water contains a high percentage of salt and before being used for batteries must be purified by distillation or passing through an ion-exchange resin so as to take out the salt. The provision of the second electrode assembly 10 acts as a blank or a check on the first electrode assembly 10. In effect, it is seen that the resistor 148 and the resistor 140, in conjunction with the two electrode assemblies 10, become a bridge, a modification of the Wheatstone bridge. Therefore, the second electrode assembly takes into account the degree of contamination in the water being introduced into the system so that the first electrode assembly thereby takes into account the degree of contamination added to the water after it is introduced into the system.

The functioning of the electric circuit is now readily apparent. With a build up in the concentration of the contaminants in the contaminated active rnedium, there is a greater concentration of electrolytes in the system. The concentration of electrolytes becomes so high that there is conduction between the two electrodes 22 of the first electrode assembly 10, i.e., those electrodes connecting with the leads 42 and 44. With this conduction between the two electrodes 22 there is an imbalance introduced into the system so that the grid allows electrons to flow from the cathode to the plate and a greater degree of electricity flowing through coil 84 of the relay 64. With the activation of the relay coil 84, the contacts 62 and 66 of the relay 64- are closed so that the coil 68 of the valve is activated and opened. With the opening of the valve '68 the uncontaminated liquid or fresh liquid is allowed to enter the system. When the degree of concentration of the electrolytes or contaminants reaches the desired level, then the grid 120 stops the flow of electrons and the coil 84 of the relay 64 is no longer activated and the contacts 62 and 66 of the relay 64 open with the deactivation of the coil 68 of the solenoid control valve.

From the foregoing it is seen that there is provided an electrode assembly 10 which is easy to construct and composed of only a few readily available parts. Also, the attaching of the electrode assembly 10 to the lead-in wires or conductors is readily accomplished. The electric circuit comprises a minimum of parts for its function and consists mainly of a triode for controlling a relay coil which in turn controls contacts for controlling a solenoid perated valve.

One of the outstanding advantages of this electrode assembly 10 and the accompanying electric circuit is the fact that the electric circuit is operated on alternating current. The benefit of alternating current is that there is no noticeable corrosion of the electrodes 22. In some other flushing systems and which flushing systems operate on direct current, there is noticeable corrosion of the electrode. With my system, due to the alternating current, there is no appreciable wear or corrosion of the electrodes.

Having presented my invention, what I claim is:

1. A combination of an electrode assembly and an electric circuit:

(a) said electrode assembly comprising a plug;

(b) said plug being of a dielectric material;

(c) two spaced-apart passageways in said plug;

(d) an electrode in each passageway;

(e) said electrode being exposed on one end of the plug;

(f) a first trap containing a contaminated aqueous medium;

(g) a second trap containing an aqueous medium;

(h) a first electrode assembly in the first trap;

(i) a second electrode assembly in the second trap;

(j) said electric circuit being an alternating current circuit and comprising;

(k) a first means for controlling the flow of an aqueous medium to said first trap; and,

(I) said first electrode assembly and said second electrode assembly connecting with said first means and controlling the operation of said first means.

2. A combination of an electrode assembly and an electric circuit according to claim 1 and comprising:

(a) said first means being a first electrically controlled means;

(-b) a switch connecting with and controlling the flow of electricity to said first electrically controlled means; and,

(c) said first electrode assembly and said second electrode assembly connecting with said switch and controlling the operation of said switch.

3. A combination of an electrode assembly and an electric circuit according to claim 2 and comprising:

(a) said switch being a vacuum tube; and,

(b) said electrode assemblies being in a bridge circuit and connecting with and controlling the flow of electricity through said vacuum tube.

4. A combination of an electrode assembly and an electric circuit:

(a) said electrode assembly comprising a plug;

(b) said plug being of a dielectric material;

(c) two spaced apart passageways in said plug;

(d) an electrode in each passageway;

(e) said electrode being exposed on one end of the plug;

(f) a passageway in the electrode assembly leading to the two electrodes;

(g) said electric circuit being an alternating current circuit and comprising;

(h) an electrically controlled valve;

(i) a first switch for connecting the valve to a source of electricity;

(j) a relay coil controlling said switch;

(k) a first trap containing a contaminated aqueous medium;

(1) a second trap containing an aqueous medium and which aqueous medium may be the same as the aqueous medium introduced into the first trap;

(m) a first electrode assembly in the first trap;

(11) a second electrode assembly in the second trap;

(o) a second switch for controlling the flow of electricity to the relay coil; and,

(p) said first electrode assembly and said second electrode assembly being in a bridge circuit for controlling the second switch and the relay coil.

electric circuit;

(a) a plug and a cap;

(b) said plug and said cap being of a dielectric material;

(c) said plug having a threaded stud portion and a shoulder;

(d) two spaced apart through longitudinal passageways in said plug;

(e) an electrode in each passageway;

(15) said electrodes on the stud end of the plug being exposed;

(g) said electrodes on the shoulder end of the plug projecting beyond the plug;

(h) said cap having two spaced apart recesses;

(i) a screw connecting together the cap and the plug;

(j) said spaced apart recesses in that end of the cap adjacent the plug being in alignment with an electrode and receiving the end of an electrode;

(k) in the cap there being two lateral passageways;

(1) each of said passageways connecting with one of said recesses;

(m) an electrically controlled valve;

(n) a first switch for connecting the valve to a source of electricity;

(0) a relay coil controlling said switch;

(p) a. first trap containing a contaminated aqueous medium;

(q) a second trap containing an aqueous medium and which aqueous medium may be the same as the aqueous medium introduced into the first trap;

(r) a first electrode assembly in the first trap;

(s) a second electrode assembly in the second trap;

(t) a second switch for controlling the flow of electricity to the relay coil; and

(u) said first electrode assembly and said second electrode assembly being in a bridge circuit for controlling the second switch and the relay coil.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 396,920 1/1889 Chamberlain 174-59 819,418 5/1906 Fielding 339 2,534,804 12/ 1950 Tiscione 339206 2,666,125 1/ 1954 Carpenter 33992 2,700,144 l/l955 Flanagan 339217 2,815,495 12/1957 Webster 339174 3,024,469 3/ 1962 Lewis et al. 3,066,314 '12/1962 Filliung. 3,115,643 12/1963 Whitney 4-100 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. HENRY K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

